Yesterday I began reviewing some of what’s been wrong in the Charismatic movement over time. Although present discussions going on all around are sparked by the Todd Bentley / Lakeland revelations of the recent weeks, this is not my prime concern here except insofar as the issues there fall into a pattern which should have been avoidable based on past experience. In essence, I am suggesting that there are certain weaknesses in the charismatic movement which make it susceptible to the kinds of abuse and excess which have caused the downfall of leaders and confusion or injury to some of the followers in the movement.
Charismatic Cleanup Part II
HoMY 28: There is a Fountain Filled with Blood
I couldn’t decide if I should do a thanksgiving-oriented hymn today in honour of American Thanksgiving, or if I should slip in an early Christmas carol… but in the end, I’ve opted for more standard fare for this week’s selection in my series Then Sings My Soul: The Hymns of My Youth. I’ve selected William Cowper’s (pronounced “Cooper”) hymn, There Is A Fountain Filled with Blood. It has the name “Emmanuel”, so if you want to imagine it’s for Christmas, go ahead!
The Rattling of Swords Grows Loud in My Ears
Yesterday I sat back and didn’t comment — I was busy with other things, including some writing, but it seems to me that something needs to be said about this whole Mark Driscoll flap. And right off, this isn’t about Driscoll, or Pagitt, or Bell, or even Don Carson or the matchstick boys. It’s about criticism. And I hardly know where to begin… but challenges have been issued, and though most of them aren’t directed at me personally, I think I’ve got something to say (alright, I always have something to say, whether or not I should say it). There are times when criticism deserves a response, as do certain kinds of responses to criticism. I said yesterday that I probably had things to say that could get everyone upset with me… and while that’s not my intent, there are things that need saying. And I’m just dumb enough to be the one to say them.
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